News Release
Continental Airlines Inaugurates Non-Stop Service Between Newark And Caracas, Venezuela
NEWARK, April 29, 1998 -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAI.B and CAI.A) on Thursday will inaugurate non-stop service between Newark/New York and Caracas, Venezuela. The new Newark-Caracas route increases the number of daily non-stop routes from Newark to South America to 7, and a total of 15 Latin American and Caribbean destinations.
The new daily service from Newark departs at 5:00 p.m. and arrives in Caracas at 10:00 p.m. Return service from Caracas leaves at 10:00 a.m. and arrives in Newark at 2:57 p.m. Continental will operate its newest Boeing 737- 700 aircraft, which features the latest aviation technology and in-flight comfort, and is configured with first class and coach class seating. Passengers will enjoy regional cuisine on the flight, based on recipes by international chefs.
"Venezuela’s growth as an oil and energy market has earned it an important place in our international expansion plan," said Barry Simon, Senior Vice President - International, Continental Airlines. "Our new Newark-Caracas flight increases business access between the New York area and South America, as well as provides greater opportunities for leisure travel between the two regions."
Continental is the leading airline in the New York area, with more non- stop service to international destinations than any other airline. Continental started service between Houston and Caracas last December. Serving 19 countries and 35 cities in Latin America and the Caribbean, Continental is the second largest U.S. carrier to Latin America in number of destinations served.
Continental has invested more than $1 million to "Latinize" its key U.S. airports with Spanish signage and bilingual airport staff to assist passengers. On board the aircraft, international passengers will have Spanish-speaking flight attendants and special regional cuisine prepared by international chefs.
Continental is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering more than 2,000 departures daily to 122 domestic and 70 international destinations. Operating major hubs in Newark, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, Continental is strategically positioned for Transcontinental travel, and offers extensive service to Latin America and Europe via its Houston and Newark gateways. Continental has entered into a strategic global alliance with Northwest Airlines, subject to government approval, that will result in interconnection of the two airlines’ route systems, code-sharing arrangements, frequent flier reciprocity, cooperation between Continental and Northwest’s trans-Atlantic partner KLM, and other cooperative activities.
Recently, Continental became the only airline in history to earn the Frequent Flyer magazine/J.D. Power and Associates award two years in a row for best customer satisfaction on long-haul flights. The Continental OnePass frequent flyer program was named 1997 Program of the Year and Best Elite-Level Program, as well as having Best Overall Customer Service, Best Program Newsletter and Best Website in InsideFlyer’s annual Freddie Awards. In addition, Continental was named 1996 "Airline of the Year" by Air Transport World and was rated as having the best business class product among U.S. carriers by both Entrepreneur and Smart Money magazines. In January Continental was named to HISPANIC Magazine’s annual list of 100 "Companies Providing the Most Opportunities for Hispanics."